Postponed state guidance forces H-DNL to abandon December 7 start date

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM) – The Humboldt – Del Norte League (H-DNL) planned for a December 7 start date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a recent update from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, that plan has changed completely.

On Tuesday, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) released a statement in response to the new guidance:

“In today’s COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Newsom and Dr. Mark Ghaly from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) disclosed that the release of updated youth sports guidance has been postponed. Therefore, the current guidance remains in effect, and CIF competitions are not allowed until new guidance is provided.”

The delayed release of guidance will not allow for the H-DNL to move forward as planned. As a result, the league will no longer begin the schedule in December.

According to a statement from the H-DNL, the CDPH will likely review youth sports in mid-January at the earliest. The league is planning to develop new sports schedules if necessary.

In the meantime, the H-DNL will not participate in educational athletics until there is new guidance. H-DNL schools are still able to participate in strength and conditioning activities under current guidelines.